Continuous Fastener Element Surface Roughness for Slider Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Continuous fastener elements with a coil or zigzag shape exhibit unwanted gloss and luster, which can mismatch product designs when attached to items like bags, shoes, and clothes, and forming minute recesses on their surfaces increases resistance, making slider operation difficult.
Innovation Solution
A continuous fastener element with a coil or zigzag shape featuring a coupling head and leg portions formed with rough surfaces and specific average roughness values, where the coupling head's surface has a lower roughness than the leg portions, reducing gloss and luster while maintaining smooth operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If minute recesses are formed on the surface of continuous fastener elements, then gloss and luster are reduced, but resistance increases making slider operation difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different surface roughness characteristics to different parts of the fastener element. The coupling head and leg portions have specific average roughness values (Ra 0.03-0.20 μm) to reduce gloss, while the slider engagement surfaces maintain lower roughness to minimize resistance and ensure smooth operation. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between aesthetic appearance and operational ease.
2Illumination intensity
If the entire surface is made rough to reduce gloss, then aesthetic match improves, but friction between slider and element increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements local quality by specifying different average roughness ranges for different functional areas. The coupling head and leg portions use Ra 0.03-0.20 μm for aesthetic gloss reduction, while slider engagement surfaces use smoother finishes to minimize friction. This spatial differentiation of surface properties simultaneously achieves both aesthetic match and low friction operation.
3Illumination intensity
If uniform roughness is applied to all parts, then gloss is consistently reduced, but coupling head engagement becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality principles by assigning different surface roughness specifications to different components. The coupling head and leg portions have Ra 0.03-0.20 μm for uniform gloss reduction, while the slider and coupling engagement surfaces maintain lower roughness values to ensure smooth engagement and operation, resolving the contradiction between aesthetic uniformity and functional ease of operation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively reduces or removes gloss and luster, enhancing the aesthetic match with product designs and improving the operability of slide fasteners by minimizing resistance between slider and coupling heads.
Implementation Method 1
surfaces of the coupling head, the leg portions, and the connecting portion are each formed as a rough surface with a plurality of recesses
Implementation Method 2
a part of the monofilament is heated and pressed when the coupling head is molded
Data Source
AI summary
A continuous fastener element including: a coupling head; upper and lower leg portions; and a connecting portion wherein surfaces of the coupling head, the leg portions, and the connecting portion are each formed as a rough surface with a plurality of recesses. Furthermore, a head surface of the coupling head of the continuous fastener element is formed to have an average roughness Ra smaller than that of outer peripheral surfaces of the leg portions. Accordingly, gloss and luster of the continuous fastener element may be easily reduced or removed. Furthermore, when the slide fastener is formed, the resistance between the coupling heads of the left and right continuous fastener elements may be made small and the left and right element rows may smoothly engage with each other or disengage from each other.